Five unforgettable moments from Adam Gilchrist's career

Adam Gilchrist was a true powerhouse in world cricket for a decade.

He was a pioneer in redefining the role of a wicket-keeper-batsman in the modern cricket, averaging well into the 40s, and excelling in all formats of the game.

By the time it was all said and done, "Gilly" had played 96 Tests and 287 ODIs, as well as 13 T20Is, with the shortest format of the game kicking off late in his career.

He made more than 5000 runs at Test level to go with over 400 dismissals, while his ODI stats read close to 10,000 runs and over 450 dismissals. He passed the century-mark 17 times in Test cricket and 16 times in ODI cricket and was one of Australia's most consistent performers.

On that note, let's take a look at Gilchrist's most famous cricket moments

#5 Most Test Dismissals (2008)

A routine edge from Anil Kumle during a Test match at Adelaide Oval saw Gilly top the list of most dismissals by a wicket-keeper in Tests.

It was his 413rd Test dismissal, but perhaps the most satisfying one, as he etched his name into wicket-keeping folklore.

Gilchrist finished with 414 dismissals from 96 Tests, averaging 2.2 dismissals per Test innings. No one else has managed two dismissals per Test innings.

Mark Boucher has since overtaken Gilchrist again.

#4 Gilchrist wins Test series win as captain in 2004

Gilchrist did occupy the Test vice-captaincy for a period of time during his career, but that status was never more important than on Australia's tour of India in 2004.

Ricky Ponting was sidelined with a fractured thumb, meaning Gilly was thrust into leading the side. He led Australia to a 2-1 series victory in India for the first time in more than 30 years.

He set the tone by scoring a hundred in the first Test, which India won by 217 runs, before remaining reliable behind the stumps by taking 16 dismissals in the series.

#3 1999 rescue mission in Hobart

In just his second Test match, Gilchrist guided Australia to an incredible victory, chasing 369 to win in the fourth innings against Pakistan. It is now the ninth most successful run chase in the history of Test cricket.

After Australia slumped to 5 for 126, their hopes of saving the Test, let alone winning it, seemed to be gone. But Gilly's match-winning and history-making 149, alongside Justin Langer's 127 saw Australia chase down an unlikely target. Their 238-run stand won the admiration of a nation.

Gilchrist announced himself on the international stage with the bat in just his second Test match. He showed character, determination and optimism that would define his career for years to come.

#2 2007 World Cup Final century

Gilchrist scored the highest individual score by any player in an ICC World Cup final when he notched up 149 not out in Australia's triumphant campaign in 2007.

His 149 was more than half of Australia's total of 281, which was enough to secure their third consecutive World Cup title. Facing 104 balls, he choked the life out of the Sri Lankan bowlers, whacking 13 fours and eight sixes.

It was the innings in which Gilchrist famously wedged a squash ball inside his batting gloves to stop himself from 'strangling' the bat.

#1 Second-fastest Test Century (2006/07 Ashes series)

Gilchrist made his mark on the international arena as an explosive batter. That was never more evident than during the 2006-07 Ashes series. The hapless England bowlers had no idea how to stem the onslaught of runs he piled on at the WACA Ground.

On his adopted Western Australian home turf, Gilly belted 12 fours and four sixes to record the second-fastest Test century ever (at the time). He brought up his hundred in just 57 balls, which was just one delivery short of the then-record set by Sir Viv Richards.